Derby v Nottingham Forest: Team News

Last updated : 18 March 2016 By Forest

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Derby look like having an unchanged squad for the visit of east midlands rivals Nottingham Forest.

Head coach Darren Wassall could be contemplating changes after seeing his side squander a three-goal lead at Rotherham last weekend, with the Millers scoring all their goals in the final eight minutes to snatch a 3-3 draw.

The fit-again Jake Buxton is an option in the centre of defence while midfielders Jacob Butterfield and Jamie Hanson and forwards Darren Bent, Nick Blackman and Andreas Weimann will also come into Wassall's thinking.

Will Hughes continues to recover from the serious knee injury he suffered on the opening day of this season. His return to action will now probably be in Shaun Barker's testimonial match at the iPro Stadium on March 24.

Forest forward Jamie Ward has declared himself fit enough to be involved against his former club after recovering from a hamstring problem.

It remains to be seen whether Paul Williams, in charge until the end of the season after Dougie Freedman's departure, will pick the Northern Ireland international but he will have Federico Macheda available after the on-loan striker came through his debut at Hull in midweek unscathed.

It had been hoped that midfielder Henri Lansbury (ankle) would be fit but that is looking unlikely, while striker Britt Assombalonga (knee) is not yet ready to feature.